The Shift Code

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Alexandra Amouyel, President and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation, to break down how the company funnels 100% of its profits to support children facing adversity, how its unique legal structure became a blueprint for purpose-driven enterprise, and how a $40,000 salad dressing experiment became $600 million in impact.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to structure and govern a 100% for-purpose enterprise that balances commercial success with social impact
• The governance framework for maintaining separation between the foundation and business operations
• Why traditional business metrics and incentive structures can coexist with charitable missions
• How to build sustainable funding models for social impact without relying on traditional donor relationships
• Why food justice and children's nutrition represent strategic leverage points for addressing broader societal challenges
• How to navigate market disruptions and maintain social impact during economic headwinds

Alexandra Amouyel is the president and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation, a private grant-making foundation whose mission is to nourish and transform the lives of children who face adversity. The foundation's structure is unique and continues Paul Newman's commitment to use all the money that it receives — 100% of the profits and royalties — from the sale of Newman’s Own products in service of its mission. Through the efforts of Paul Newman, Newman's Own and the Newman's Own Foundation, more than 600 million dollars has been given to social impact organizations since 1982. Before taking the helm at Newman’s Own Foundation, Amouyel led MIT Solve as its founding executive director with a mission to drive innovation to solve the world’s greatest challenges. Before MIT Solve, she was the director of the program for the Clinton Global Initiative. She is also the author of The Answer Is You: A Guidebook to Creating a Life Full of Impact and an executive producer for The Big Idea, an award-winning documentary series that follows three social entrepreneurs trying to bring their world-changing ideas to market.

Episode Resources:

• Alexandra Amouyel on LinkedIn
• Newman's Own Foundation Website
• The Answer Is You Book
• Pierre Le Manh on LinkedIn
• Project Management Institute Website
• Project Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Annie Jackson, Co-founder and CEO of Credo Beauty, to explore how retailers can act as industry regulators, drive sustainable transformation, and balance purpose with profitability in the clean beauty sector.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why self-regulation can be more effective than government oversight in driving industry transformation
• How to scale sustainable practices across a complex supply chain while maintaining authenticity and brand integrity
• The Credo Clean Standard approach to implementing science-backed sustainability metrics across 130+ brands
• How to balance mission-driven objectives with commercial success in trend-driven industries

Beauty veteran Annie Jackson has been a key player in the successes of the industry’s biggest beauty companies. Annie began her career at Estée Lauder, where, after 6 years, she was recruited to be one of the early members of the team that launched Sephora USA and Japan. Later, she took a role as the Director of Global Product Marketing for Benefit Cosmetics and, in 2011, returned to her Sephora roots in merchandising for color cosmetics at Sephora within JCPenney. Her love of beauty and quest for cleaner options led her, alongside Shashi Batra, to create Credo Beauty. As Co-Founders, they shared a vision to change the way people think about what they put in and on their bodies and skin, fostering a new generation of beauty brands — natural, organic, effective, clean, and sustainable — pioneering the clean beauty movement.

Episode Resources:

• Annie Jackson on LinkedIn
• Credo Beauty Website
• Pierre Le Manh on LinkedIn
• Project Management Institute Website
• Project Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Manuel Rios Krauss, Chief Innovation and R&D Officer at Natura, to discuss how to balance sustainability goals with business imperatives, scale eco-friendly practices globally, and foster breakthrough innovation in established industries.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to transform sustainability from a corporate initiative into a commercial advantage
• Why local knowledge and indigenous traditions can become powerful differentiators in global markets
• How to balance rapid transformation with organizational clarity using the 40-40-20 leadership approach
• The three major disruptions reshaping business
• Why successful innovation requires both crazy people and practical operators to create dynamic equilibrium
• How to structure innovation around consumer pain points rather than traditional product categories

Manuel Rios Krauss is Chief R&D and Innovation Officer at Natura, leading the company’s transformation through regenerative science, biotechnology, and Amazon-powered innovation. With over 20 years of global experience in the beauty industry, including at Unilever, he combines deep expertise in product innovation and sustainability with a passion for emerging technologies. He also co-founded Deep Blue BioTech and advises next-generation materials ventures like Cambrium.

Episode Resources:

• Manuel Rios Krauss on LinkedIn
• Natura Website
• Pierre Le Manh on LinkedIn
• Project Management Institute Website
• Project Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Ernesto Pagano, a Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), to share insights on the real-world implementation of AI across industries, focusing on transformation challenges, organizational approaches, and practical success factors.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why AI transformation is 10% technology, 20% tools/processes, and 70% change management
• How to balance centralized and decentralized approaches to AI implementation for maximum innovation and scalability
• The critical factors driving successful AI adoption across support functions versus core business operations
• Why responsible AI governance and data infrastructure are fundamental to transformation success
• How to adapt project management approaches for AI initiatives

Ernesto Pagano is a core member of the Technology, Media & Telecommunication practice at Boston Consulting Group, and leads the firm’s media work globally. Since joining BCG in 2009, Ernesto has advised clients on growth strategy, innovation, operating model transformation, and organizational design. Ernesto has deep experience in media, information services, and education/upskilling. In 2015, Ernesto was a BCG Ambassador in the Middle East, helping grow the local media and public sector business. Prior to joining BCG, Ernesto was an investment banker with Merrill Lynch in London and Hong Kong, as part of the mergers and acquisitions team.

Episode Resources:

• Ernesto Pagano on LinkedIn
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Website
• Pierre Le Manh on LinkedIn
• Project Management Institute Website
• Project Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh sits with Jennifer Lotito, President & Chief Operating Officer at (RED), to explore how a lean, purpose-driven team builds partnerships, harnesses AI, and uses project management to transform business strategy for nonprofit success.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to rethink corporate partnerships that drive social impact and business value.
• How to re-scale impact with limited resources through strategic project management.
• How purpose-built development helps RED’s lean team stay agile and future-ready.
• How to manage complex projects that involve global brands and nonprofit initiatives.
• How to harness AI to enhance operational efficiency.
• How to balance awareness campaigns and measurable financial results using the “Heat and Check” Framework.

Jennifer Lotito is the President & Chief Operating Officer of (RED), a pioneering organization dedicated to bringing private sector engagement into the fight against HIV/AIDS. With over 17 years at (RED), she has been instrumental in developing innovative partnerships with global brands like Apple, Manchester United, and Qualcomm to generate funding for the Global Fund. Under her leadership, (RED) has transformed corporate social responsibility by creating successful product-based fundraising models that have made significant impacts in healthcare accessibility across Africa. 

Episode Resources:

• Jennifer Lotito on LinkedIn
• (RED) Website
• Pierre Le Manh on LinkedIn
• Project Management Institute Website
• Project Management Institute LinkedIn

In this episode of The Shift Code Podcast, host Pierre Le Manh is joined by Stephan Pretorius, Chief Technology Officer at WPP, to share an unfiltered look at how one of the world's largest marketing groups is using AI to reshape strategy, creative work, and even its business model.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to drive enterprise-wide transformation through technology platforms while maintaining psychological safety and entrepreneurial spirit
• The three-phase approach to transforming highly federated organizations
• Why successful AI implementation requires multidisciplinary teams and M-shaped professionals who combine broad expertise with deep specializations
• How to evolve from time-based billing to outcome-based commercial models in professional services
• Why humanities education and critical thinking are crucial competitive advantages in the AI era

Stephan Pretorius was appointed as WPP’s first Chief Technology Officer in 2018. He leads the company’s AI and product strategy and currently serves as interim Chair of AKQA. Previously, he was UK Group CEO and Global CTO of Wunderman, joining the agency in 2016. With a unique background combining law and technology, Stephan has been instrumental in transforming WPP from a federation of 450 agencies into five integrated global organizations through technological innovation. As the architect of WPP Open, the company's proprietary AI-powered platform, he has led WPP’s $400 million annual investment in internal product development, revolutionizing how the organization delivers creative and marketing services.

Episode Resources:

• Stephan Pretorius on LinkedIn
• WPP Website
• Pierre Le Manh on LinkedIn
• Project Management Institute Website
• Project Management Institute LinkedIn

On this episode of The Shift Code, PMI CEO Pierre Le Manh talks with founder of Stemeria, Julissa Mateo Abad, about her innovative approach to digital transformation. Learn how Julissa breaks cultural barriers, measures impact and takes a pragmatic approach to AI implementation. Plus, explore how she's revolutionizing tech across Latin America through inclusive, sustainable innovation.  

On this episode of The Shift Code, PMI CEO Pierre Le Manh sits down with co-founder and CEO of UrbanKisaan, Vihari Kanukollu, to talk about the role his company plays in transforming one of the world’s oldest human activities—food farming. Learn about how UrbanKisaan’s technology boosts the efficiency, quality, and affordability of food farming, how Vihari’s remarkable company is working to expand its impact, and more.

On this episode of The Shift Change, PMI CEO Pierre Le Manh talks with Flagship founder and CEO Simon Molnar about how digital engagement strategies can revolutionize traditional retail. Learn how e-commerce analytics transform in-store experiences and discover why the future of retail lives at the intersection of digital and physical commerce. Plus, hear Simon’s practical insights for implementing transformation without being too disruptive to business.   

On this episode of The Shift Code, PMI CEO Pierre Le Manh sits down with co-founder and CEO of Jetstream Africa, Miishe Addy, to discuss how family wisdom and tools from her Stanford education helped her develop an effective approach to easing bottlenecks in trade and unlocking opportunities for broad business growth. Plus, learn about how Africa’s economic health is critical to the success of global markets, the value of purpose and growth mindsets, and the importance of spontaneity in innovation.